Sex criminals could be barred from travelling abroad under new government proposals.

Home Office minister Hilary Benn said the government may also close an existing loophole that means child sex offenders do not need to register with police if they travel abroad for less than eight days.

Under the plans, issued for consultation on Wednesday, the courts could gain powers to prevent offenders travelling to specified countries where there is a risk they will abuse children.

Forum Response: World Vision

Jo Trevor, Parliamentary Advisor for World Vision, said: "World Vision welcomes government consultation on sex offences.

"World Vision has been campaigning for a change in the law to protect children abroad from sexual abuse by British men.

"Currently, convicted sex offenders only have to notify the authorities of plans to travel abroad if they are travelling for eight days or more. World Vision is calling for the notification period to be reduced so that convicted sex offenders have to notify the authorities as soon as they travel overseas for 72 hours or more.

"Now, the Home Office has announced its commitment to review the minimum period of travel, and will consult on the exact requirements.

"We are thrilled that the government is taking this issue so seriously. Closing this loophole will be one step towards protecting thousands of children from abuse by British offenders.

"We welcome the chance to present the government with evidence from our own field work in countries like Cambodia."

"British men are in the top five nationalities to commit sex offences with children in Cambodia. It's outrageous that known sex offenders travelling for less than eight days don't have to tell anyone where they are going. There's currently no protection for children in abuse hotspots such as Cambodia, Bosnia and Thailand.

"World Vision is really looking forward to working with the UK government so that this loophole can finally be closed for good."